Wednesday, April 4, 2012

How to Escape your Funk

 You’re not sad but you’re not feeling your best, and The Funk, depression’s annoying kid cousin, just won’t leave you alone. It’s annoying when you feel blah at all, let alone when you don’t know why. Nothing in your life is glaringly wrong but you can’t help but stare off into space and the idea of socializing is the last thing you want to do right now. So what now?

1.     Stay in. I know, this sounds like bad advice. Why are you encouraging me to be by myself when I’m a victim of The Funk? Hear me out. You know your SUPER PEPPPY FRIEND WHO IS ALWAYS HAVING A GOOD TIME #WEAREYOUNG style? Do not make plans with her tonight. While she has been (and will be) a good source for an awesome night, tonight is not that night. In your mind, you think this will get you out of the office/apartment and into a bar with booze/friends and that will be good for you. In reality, it will just force your bad mood on others when you realize you’re actually just feeling quiet and introverted tonight and now suddenly, everyone is asking you what’s wrong and if you have to fake one more smile and act like you’re having SO MUCH FUN you’ll #die. Save yourself from this situation and accept that it’s okay to hang out with yourself sometimes, especially when you’re in a funk.

2.     Do the things you like. Behind on episodes of The New Girl? Catch up. Feeling tired? Nap time! Haven’t read Thought Catalog in a few days? You know how to open multiple tabs, get to it! Whatever your idea of fun is, go for it, even if it’s alone. In fact, better if it’s alone. Right now, you can’t be bothered to hold up your end of the conversation with a friend, acquaintance, or stranger so don’t. Make like BeyoncĂ© and from now on, be [your] own best friend.

3.     Listen. Yes, the weather is schizophrenic and the year is a ¼ over and you’re not sure how but those are not the reasons for your funk. We’ve already established this isn’t the Big D but there is something wrong. Blue about a boy who isn’t texting you back? Whatever! He spells “you” with a “u.” You deserve better than that. Not loving your job? Monster.com. Figure out what you’re hung up on and start addressing it. You don’t need to find your dream man and your dream job overnight but making effort to change things is the first step towards feeling better.

4.     Don’t feel guilty. It’s hard to let yourself feel like this and you’re feeling bad for not going out and doing stuff but that’s okay! You don’t always have to be “on.” There are constantly a million and one things going on in this city and tons of people to meet and bars to visit but the great thing is, these things will be there for you when you’re ready for them. Forcing yourself to do things you don’t want to do for the sake of doing them isn’t helping anyone, especially not your wallet.

5.     Be patient. You know those subway ads that read, “BAM! And then it hits you,” or something like that (BTW, what the hell are those about anyways??)? Well I believe funks are the same way. One day you’re humdrum grey and the next day you’re not. While you do have things to sort out, it’s not some puzzle you have to solve before you’re back to normal. When you feel like it, you’ll do stuff again. When you feel like it, you’ll leave your house after your self-imposed 48 hour lock in. So until then friend, just ride it out.